Revving Up: McLaren Eyes Next Upgrade in Pursuit of Red Bull
May 7 - Carlos Sainz and now Lando Norris' race wins within the first six grands prix of 2024 shows that Max Verstappen's grip on Formula 1 may now be easing.
Miami was not a smooth weekend for the Red Bull driver, who was hurt by the timing of the safety car on Sunday and also suffered damage by striking a bollard.
"There was a hole in the floor," Verstappen revealed. "But I don't think that's why. We didn't have enough pace."
Indeed, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc also believes Norris and McLaren deserved the win on merit.
"I don't think I could have won," he said. "McLaren was too strong. But I did have the same speed as Max."
While Oscar Piastri needs to wait until Imola for the full package, Norris was at the wheel of a major McLaren upgrade in Imola - dubbed the "B version" of the 2024 car by team CEO Zak Brown.
Ferrari will have a big upgrade on its car at Imola.
"It will also be a very important upgrade," Leclerc said. "It will determine how the rest of our season plays out. I'm looking forward to that and I hope that we can take a big step forward.
"It's going to be an arms race of upgrades this year, and I'm glad that we'll soon have new parts on our car that will hopefully be as good as McLaren's."
Frederic Vasseur is playing down Ferrari's Imola upgrade.
"We are at the point in the development of the car where if you put something new on the car it is not a matter of seconds, it is a matter of tenths," said the Ferrari team boss.
"It's not like years ago when every new thing brought 3-4 tenths," he added. "There is a gap that varies from track to track, from compound to compound, and it is a bigger difference than an update.
"The update at Imola will certainly help us, but it will depend more on the work we do on the track."
Indeed, McLaren team boss Andrea Stella is not getting carried away about the Miami upgrade, insisting Red Bull and Verstappen "didn't have a clean weekend".
His Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner agrees: "McLaren have taken a step, but only the next races will show how big it really is."
Stella added: "If we want to challenge Red Bull in the long term, we need another (upgrade) package like this one."
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher says those who think Verstappen is still dominating more than ever are wrong.
"This is an exciting season," he told Sky Deutschland. "The pressure is coming from all sides. Ferrari has gotten stronger, but now McLaren has too.
"We'll have to wait a few more races to see how that develops, because the asphalt in Miami is special and Red Bull seems to struggle more in these conditions, as is the case in Singapore.
"Either way, I'm convinced that we haven't seen Lando Norris' last victory of the season."
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So tired of hearing about Singapore last year. Max started 11th and finished 5th, only 4 cars finished better. 100 more yards to the finish line and he clips Leclerc at the stripe easy and 1 more lap on track and he'd have replaced Hammy on the podium! Max was flying at the end of the race last year. Everyone thinking this year is going to playout the same way better prepare themselves for a big let down. Guarantee Hambone is nowhere near the podium this year.
I don't take any notice of what Ralph Schumacher says anymore, I think he just says things to try to stay relevant.I don't respect his opinion on things.
I don't take any notice of what Ralph Schumacher says anymore, I think he just says things to try to stay relevant.I don't respect his opinion on things.
I don't take any notice of what Ralph Schumacher says anymore, I think he just says things to try to stay relevant.I don't respect his opinion on things.
the slow degradation of f1 to nascar stupidity. The Americans have arrived!!!! bold crass and obnoxious. no wonder the usual suspects are trying to keep Andretti out before it becomes an absolute … the yanks took over Canadian hockey and Bittman will forever keep that cup south of the 49th parallels by ruling it to death...FIA is bought and paid for and manipulating the sport. Funny how Netflix attracted so many to F! but the true meaning of the sport was completely lost in their translation. They brought numbers to the sport which is what Ecclestone was trying to do for years in the beginning but the arrival of the Americans has brought the sport to an unparalleled state of stupidity. Every 2 bit musician, actor, washed up sports stars all jockeying to be noticed on the grid...instant F1 fans ..lol,2 bit singers who think they are 2 good..... Brundle falling over himself thinking the so called stars are what the sport has become. He sounds ridiculous !! Really pathetic to watch. I think after Hamilton wins his 8th with the red guys that will be enough for me, hopefully 1 season maybe 2 ….I have been watching f1 for 50 years long, met Jackie Stewart and lots of the greats before it became fashionable in the last 5-6 years. F1 is coming to a grinding halt in my world. Maybe sports car racing or hill climbs for me but F1 is being milked right now big time!!!!